To a large degree the book addresses the problems experienced by testing departments and with specific emphasis on individual testers. It proceeds from the assumption that technical testing skills are not enough. To these skills should be added softer, "people" skills like communication, negotiation, psychology, selling and writing skills. It does this by describing the top ten people-related challenges encountered in the Software Testing environment, and their corresponding solutions.

These challenges include training, developer/tester teamwork and communication, testing tools, management involvement, the interaction of testers with customers and users, budgeting and scheduling, test criteria and agreement on acceptable quality levels.

The book also includes a very simple self-assessment test to give the reader some indication of where they and their organisations are with respect to the ten challenges. The book reads easily and makes a very good introduction to testing for both a new tester and for developers given the task of testing. Even non-testing management and technical staff will be sensitised by this book to the challenges faced by testers. Experienced testers however, will most probably find the book too basic.

Pieter Joubert.

What do other reviewers say?

Once again this month the book reviewed is not a "How to test" book. Reviewers feel that "Surviving the Top Ten Challenges of Software Testing : A People-Orientated Approach" is an invaluable tool for getting the software testing process on the road, and that this book is a must have for any Quality Assurance professional. It looks at the software testing process through the eyes of management, developers, testers, customers and end users. It includes ample examples of pitfalls and at times it is humorous to read. All in all it is an important book with many valuable insights into testing.

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